Oil to Heat Pump Incentive Program Residents of Port Alberni can now access up to $2,200 in rebates for making the switch from oil heating to an air source heat pump. Apply to the Oil to Heat Pump Incentive Program to save on your energy bills and shrink your greenhouse gas emissions.

You are here

Moving Here

Moving Here

Port Alberni truly has something for everyone, from urban living to rural amenities, all set within a picturesque valley rich with natural resources, stunning views and majestic mountains and rivers. We are pleased to provide a selection of resources to help with orientation and settlement within our community. If you have any questions please feel free to call us at 250-723-2146 or send us an email at cityservice@portalberni.ca

The Port Alberni Welcome Wagon provides greeting services for new residents. For information on this service please contact Megan Warrender by phone: 250-724-5233 or via email: meganmarie@live.ca You can also check them out on Facebook at Port Alberni Welcome Wagon.

Newcomer's Guide

If you are considering a move to Port Alberni or have just relocated here please browse the British Columbia Newcomer's Guide to Resources and Services, Port Alberni Edition. You will find information about housing, banking, health care, education, driving, employment and business, the legal system, government, and much more.

Healthcare Port Alberni contains a full complement of modern healthcare services and facilities, including West Coast General Hospital. If you need medical attention but it is not an emergency, you may be able to go to a walk-in clinic. In Port Alberni, you can go to the West Coast Urgent Care Clinic.

West Coast Urgent Care Clinic3949 Maple WayTel: 778.421.1219

Childcare

The B.C. government has Child Care Resource and Referral offices that help parents find child care. In Port Alberni, the Pacific Child and Family Childcare Enrichment Society (PacificCARE) can help you:

RecreationWhile we may be considered a small town by some, we boast big city parks and recreational facilities. The City's Parks, Recreation and Heritage Department provides a wide range of programs year round for residents of all ages and abilities. We are also home to world-class outdoor recreation including fishing, mountain biking, kiteboarding, and hiking.

HousingPort Alberni is one of the most affordable housing markets on Vancouver Island. Whether you are in the market for a centrally located condominium or a large detached home within a subdivision, there is property and price right for you.

We are happy to assist with coordinating City services and providing you with information regarding your property. From taxes and utilities to permits and licences, you can find information here to assist you with your settlement.

"Moving to Port Alberni with our two school-aged kids has been a great adventure for the family and we are enjoying the range of opportunities that life has to offer in our new hometown.

With the geography of the mid-island location, it provides accessibility to a wide variety of lifestyle options that suit our family. As Port Alberni is situated centrally in the heart of the mountains with the beautiful Alberni inlet at the foot of our street, we take full advantage of regular opportunities to participate in many different watersports in the windy canal, plus hiking and biking in the back wood trails. In addition, there are many cool adventure spots close by, such as Tofino, Nitinat, Mt Washington, Parksville and Sproat Lake. We also enjoy that our home has become a destination stop-over for friends and family travelling to the west coast.

Over the past several years, both my husband and myself have been fortunate to enjoy well-paying, satisfying employment in sectors of the economy that may not have been traditional work for many former residents. We moved to Port Alberni for lifestyle rather than for a job, and have managed to reduce our mortgage burden and have more leisure time.

The city of Port Alberni offers a lot in the way of recreational opportunities for all members of the family and has been known in some groups as “Sports Alberni” due to the great number of tournaments, team sports games and annual recreational events and competitions which brings many people from out of town to enjoy the facilities and nature's elements.

In addition, we are fortunate that Port Alberni has state of the art educational facilities, such as the brand new highschool, newly opened Pacific Coast University and North Island College. Plus, with the growing arts and theatre opportunities in Port Alberni, there is a sense of culture that our kids can contribute to, which helps develop their artistic side.

With the outdoor lifestyle options, plus many facilities and programs for all family members, we see that Port Alberni will continue to attract other families (who may bring self-employment or new business) to become future residents in the years to come".